After Feodor Antonovich Moller

The canvas has been laid down onto another canvas and relined. There is a layer of surface dirt. There is paint shrinkage throughout and lines of craquelure. There are two surface scratches int he lower left corner, the longest approximately 17cm. There is another surface scratch half way up right hand side and wear to the edges. There are some minor areas of retouched paint loss to the ochre surround in the lower left corner and flecks of paint loss to the surround elsewhere. UV light reveals areas of scattered retouching to the upper right lower left, far left edge. There are some very minor retouching to the hair of the female sitter, her sleeve and tot he white garment in the lower right. There is further minor retouching tot he aforementioned paint loss in the lower right corner and a few minor spots of retouching elsewhere. An opaque layer of discoloured vanish prevents more conclusive examination. The painting is unframed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Kiss is unquestionably the most celebrated and recognised masterpiece from Feodor Moller's oeuvre. After observing the crowd's reaction to the painting during an exhibition in St. Petersburg in 1840, one critic commented, 'Anyone who managed even a glance at this painting by Fedor Antonovich...was surprised and delighted' (Khudozhestvennaya gazeta, 1840, no. 15, p. 16)  Due to the extreme popularity of The Kiss during Moller's lifetime, several  variants and copies were executed by not only the artist himself but also well-known artists such as Igor Grabar and Karl Zigmund Valter (1783-1867) who was know to inscribe Moller's name on his own work. Moller's original version, completed in 1839 while the artist was in Rome, currently hangs at the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. In 1840 Moller completed another copy of the work which was enthusiastically purchased by Tsar Nicholas I and displayed at Peterhof (its current whereabouts are unknown) and a third copy by the artist is considered one of the gems of the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Other copies of the work are in the collections of the Fine Art Museum of Estonia and the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus.

The present lot showcases pure painterly perfection and masterful detail and technique. Executed in the 19th century, most likely during the artist's lifetime, it showcases Moller's supreme ability to convey emotion and beauty, capturing a delicate and fleeting moment.